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What We Do

Diagnostics

Functional Neurology diagnostics allow us to provide the best qualitative data to establish where you are and track patient progression. Gauging improvement helps us understand what we’re doing right and what areas may need more focus.

Diagnostic assessment begins with an extensive physical examination to determine how the patient is processing their body and external physical environment. Whenever the physical exam indicates the need for further tests, our Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist may order medical imaging or lab work as part of the assessment. Our diagnostic techniques in the office are comprehensive, utilizing cutting edge technologies and give us clear pictures to the exact location of areas needing rehabilitation. Our tools measure the most important aspects of human function:

  • Postural Control
  • Motor Accuracy and Neurological Endurance
  • Reaction Times

All these tests are measuring to pinpoint specific areas of brain and central nervous system problems. These initial diagnostic test results are baseline measurements against which therapy results are measured.

Autonomic Testing

What is it?
Taking a blood pressure might be common practice, but how a clinician takes your blood pressure could matter! Blood pressure (BP) is the force that propels oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. Measurement of BP is one of the most frequently performed clinical procedures in health care practices today. Heart rate variability (HRV) shows the variance in time between heart beats. Pupillary light reflex (PLR) is an analysis of the cranial nerves II and III, and the control in the diameter of the pupil.
Why is it important?
While most healthcare providers take BP only in a seated position, body position changes have been researched and seen to make physiological changes in the human body, consequently reflecting brain function. The same goes for HRV, we want to make sure that your body can control the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Pupillary light reflex gives us a third piece of quantitative data for the brains autonomic control. 
How does it work?

The autonomic nervous system, made up of the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous (PNS) systems, is responsible for the regulation and integration of internal organs’ functions, specifically with SNS being a key factor in BP and HRV control through specialized receptors called baroreceptors. When changing positions such as sitting to standing the feedback loop increases firing to sympathetic nerves changing BP and HRV. More specifically, we can correlate different body positions and BP regulation with the vestibular system. The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and primarily associated with balance, equilibrium, orientation and navigation through the vestibulo-sympathetic reflex (VSR). This reflex is particularly important in preventing a drop in BP due to the organs of the vestibular system (otoliths and semicircular canals) having the ability to sense motion with respect to gravity within milliseconds. This consequently fires the VSR for activation of the cardiovascular system with the ultimate goal of maintaining a stable BP during position change.

The vestibular system, because of its involvement with balance, equilibrium, and navigation, also has associations and connections with areas of the brain such as, frontal lobes (executive planning/motor planning), cerebellum (fine/coordinated movements), and posterior parietal cortex (spatial orientation). Therefore, it makes sense that dysfunction in this reflex, feedback loop, or association/integrating areas may have a significant difference in BP from side to side or in different positions which could result in feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, or syncope.

How does it help?
It is important to evaluate the BP bilaterally and in these different positions to manipulate and challenge the systems that are responsible for BP stabilization. HRV gives us the ability to gain understanding of the neuological command of heart rate and the handling capacity. Pupillary light relfex show the direct correlation of cranial nerves response to stimulus and how easily the brain is able to control that reaction. We want to illuminate potential subclinical areas of dysfunction that have been seen to be associated with conditions such as, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dysautonomia, Orthostatic Intolerance, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Diabetes, Post-Concussive Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.

Posturography

What is it?
We utilize the BTracks Balance, a computerized dynamic posturography device. It is an essential posturography tool combining user friendly software with a self-leveling, three-component force platform to ensure the most accurate postural analysis. The sensitivity of the BTracks makes it one of the most accurate tools to measure balance and stability.
Why is it important?
Control of balance involves complex and inter-connected physiologic pathways for the purpose of maintaining posture, facilitating appropriate movements, and restoring equilibrium. These tasks are achieved by the coordination of multiple body systems including vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive which are all integrated in the brainstem, an important area of the brain that also has associations with the coordination of eye movements and regulation of autonomic functions.
How does it work?
Balance measured by a computerized tracker allows a subject to be tested both statically and dynamically through a series of tests. Static tests are completed on a solid surface with the subject’s eyes open and eyes closed. Dynamic tests are completed on a foam pad, including the same tests already mentioned, as well as eyes closed with the head in different positions. The completion of each test is recorded, and the subject is given an overall stability score compared against normative data for their age, height, and weight.
How does it help?

Manipulating the subject’s sensory environment by decreasing visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular feedback gives insight to how each system is contributing to the subject’s overall balance and stability, as well as the ability of those systems to process the available sensory information and recalibrate accordingly, potentially revealing underlying sensorimotor mechanisms contributing to balance disorders.

Although specific stability scores do not directly correlate to any disease or dysfunction, the subject’s performance can be assessed based on sway patterns, center of pressure changes, response latencies, etc. This reflects what systems or parts of the brain may not be functioning optimally, such as seen in concussion, traumatic brain injury, peripheral neuropathies, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, vestibular disorders, aging, and many other different conditions that impact neurological function.


Oculomotor Assessment (VOG)

What is it?
Video-oculography (VOG) is a complete diagnostic system for recording and analyzing eye movements using video image technology equipped with infrared cameras mounted in a pair of goggles, precisely tracking the center of each pupil during movements. VOG testing is a non-invasive and easy test to administer, yet yields powerful assessments of complex neural networks with associations to cognition, behavior, and spatial orientation
Why is it important?
The oculomotor system has two main goals: acquiring accurate fixation with both eyes and preventing slippage of images on the retina. These goals are accomplished by six different types of movements including fixation, smooth pursuit, saccade, vestibulo-ocular, optokinetic, and vergence. Coordinating these different eye movements purposefully and simultaneously with exact time and accuracy requires an extensive neural network integrating information for purposeful directions (frontal lobe), perception of space (posterior parietal cortex), velocity and step commands (vestibular system/brainstem), visual processing (occipital lobe), and trajectory and accuracy (cerebellum).
How does it work?
VOG is designed to detect subtle ocular motility abnormalities which may be spontaneous or induced. This yields valuable information regarding not only the location of a potential dysfunction but also gives insight to potential behavioral, spatial orientation, cognitive, coordination, or equilibrium issues.
How does it help?
Eye movement assessments may also contribute, but are not limited, to the identification of patients with potential cognitive impairments, neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and those patients who may be susceptible to developing post-concussion syndrome (PCS) following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Gait Analysis

What is it?
At Dearing Chiropractic, we utilize the myoMotion Noraxon pressure treadmill and portable lab to capture real time full body kinematics for gait and running analysis. Using a full body 16 sensor system alongside pre-calibrated capacitive sensors in the treadmill allows us to get the most sensitive data. 
Why is it important?
Control of gait involves multi-sensory information from the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems. The automatic process of gait is associated with postural reflexes mediated by descending pathways of the spinal cord. The cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum control the cognitive aspects of gait with decision making. Any disturbances to any one of these systems can have a direct effect on the others.
How does it work?
The myoMotion system allows patients to be accurately measured to their specific walking and running habits. The treadmill allows force and pressure analysis to be completed in a timely manner. The 3D motion capture sensors allow for real time analysis for an all in one detailed assessment on human movement.
How does it help?
Analyzing a patient’s gait allows for proper detection of potential causes of body dysfunction or poor performance. Whether the issue is neurological, functional, or structural having this information allows for more in-depth treatment choices to be utilized specifically to each patient’s reason for being in the office.

Acupuncture & Dry Needling

 

Using a neuroscience backed approach allows for a specialized application using the most recent evidence based clinical acupuncture and dry needling research alongside traditional Chinese medicine. 

 

Chiropractic Neurology

  • Chiropractic Care
  • Spinal Decompression
  • Cognitive Training
  • Eye-Training Exercises 
  • Photobiomodulation 
  • Vestibular Rehab
  • Vision Therapy      

Myofascial Massage

  • Myofascial Release 
  • Trigger Point Therapy
  • Active Release Technique
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization 
  • Neuromuscluar Massage

Neurological and Performance Enhancement Therapy

  • Functional Neuro-Orthopedic Rehabilitation
  • Neuromuscular Re-education
  • Physiotherapy
  • Orthopedic Exercise
  • Rythmic, Movement, and Patterning Rehabilitation
  • Strength, Speed, and Agility Training

CALL US TODAY – 615.721.5141

We will sit down together and create an action plan to get your balance back.